Rangers-Rays Game 1: This is Why Texas Traded for Cliff Lee

Though they didn’t pop the champagne in Oakland until Sept. 25, the Rangers clinched the AL West on July 9. That day changed a season. Changed a franchise’s credibility. Changed October plans.

That day, of course, brought Cliff Lee.

The Texas Rangers now have a post-season polished pitching ace. The Texas Rangers now have a legitimate chance to win the first playoff series in their franchise’s 39-season history in Arlington.

Here’s the ball Cliff. Deliver.

When Lee pitches in Game 1 of the ALDS today at 12:37 against the Tampa Bay Rays he’ll do it as the 2008 Cy Young winner, as a guy who won two games in the 2009 World Series against the New York Yankees and as a guy who can dominate a game and control a series.